"I think I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir ... the Jungian thing, sir."
Private Joker, Full Metal Jacket

Monday, February 21, 2011

Madison Parties Like it's 1939

There is something almost retro about the drama in Madison. If there is a future for the Democratic Party in Wisconsin (and there certainly is), I would not think that it is rooted in support for labor unions - entities that have become all but irrelevant in the economy at large for reasons that are unlikely to change. I had this vision of Pete Seeger coming to the rotunda and croaking about Joe Hill and the copper bosses. I actually saw a sign calling upon the "Workers of the World to Unite." Note to Madison: The Revolution crapped out.

Madison has all the drawbacks of a company town. People in Dane County actually think that this collective temper tantrum is working. They are proud of themselves. The rest of us are not proud of them. One of the most amazing things was to see doctors openly engaged in - it's not too strong a word - fraud and justify it on the grounds of "social activism." One of my favorites was the doctor who thought that his decision to whore out was protected by confidentiality. Lawyers famously love doctor clients. Something about them is irredeemably clueless.

Giving people sick notes is not protected by the physician-patient privilege. The privilege protects things that people intend to keep confidential. Sick notes are, by definition, not that. Read the statute. If you put your health in issue (by calling in sick), your communications with your doc are not private.

About Me

I am President and General Counsel of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and an adjunct professor of law at Marquette University Law School. The views expressed here are my own and not those of WILL or Marquette. They are offered in my personal capacity.